Frequently Asked Questions
What is Foster Care?
Foster care provides a temporary, safe home for children in crisis. Foster parents are part of the child’s support, treatment, and care programs. They are partners of the child’s social worker, teachers, and doctors. Being a foster parent is not a passive act of opening one’s home and providing food, clothing, and shelter. It is a proactive statement of nurturing, advocacy, and love.
What are the requirements to become a foster parent?
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Prospective foster parents and their childcare helpers must receive police and FBI clearances (fingerprinted) and CPS clearances (child protective services) completed by the Local Department of Social Services. This is done at the expense of the PTS and takes approximately 6-8 weeks for clearance. Anyone living in the home who is 18 years of age or older must also be fingerprinted and cleared. Please note that all foster children, regardless of age, may not be left unsupervised in the certified home. The foster children can only be supervised by a cleared adult 18 years of age or older.
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All foster parents are then required to complete a 24-hour foster parent certification training class. This is conducted by the agency at no expense to you. Classes are offered once a month. The certification class covers topics such as foster parent responsibilities, child abuse reporting, CPS and the court system, agency policies and procedures, the types of children in the system, and what kinds of behaviors to expect and how these behaviors are addressed. PTS uses PRIDE Model, a nationally recognized model developed by the Child Welfare League of America.
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All foster parents must be CPR and First Aid certified. Water safety certification is required for those who have a pool and/or spa.
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All foster parents must have a health screening (physical) from a doctor to verify that there are no physical conditions preventing you from becoming a foster parent. A negative TB test is also required.
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All foster parents are required to submit a budget report demonstrating adequate financial resources to maintain the family. The goal here is to show that you are not in need of the foster parent stipend to support your family.
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All foster parents must have adequate space in their home or apartment. Only 2 children can be placed in one home. Children of the opposite sex cannot share a room. An infant may share a bedroom with an adult until the infant is 6 months old.
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The foster home must meet licensing regulations. A list of requirements is included in the application process. Parker Therapeutic Services, Inc has a staff member available to help you through this process if necessary.
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If you have cats or dogs in the home, a copy of their rabies vaccinations is required.
What does Parker Therapeutic Services, Inc look for when assessing people who want to become a foster parent?
First, and most importantly, we are looking for families that are committed to helping children and that can love and nurture children without hesitation. We are also looking for families who are flexible, patient, understanding and able to work as team members in the best interest of children.
What are the characteristics of successful foster parenting
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Commitment
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Patience and understanding
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Flexibility
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Good communication
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Open to feedback and direction
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Sense of humor
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Ability to ask for help when needed
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Ability to set clear boundaries and limits
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The ability not to personalize a child’s behavior
What is Parker Therapeutic Services, Inc process for certification?
Once a person has decided that they want to become a foster parent, complete the application on this website and email it to PTS. You will be forwarded the schedule for pre-service training, and an appointment will be made to complete your fingerprints.
Once you have completed the class, the application process, your clearances have been received, and a home inspection completed; a home study will be conducted by the agency social worker. This is scheduled to take place at your home for your convenience. The completion of the home study is the final step before you are licensed as a certified treatment foster parent. After licensing, you are added to the agency’s availability list pending placement of your first foster child.
How long does it takes to get certified for foster parenting?
The certification process depends on how quickly you complete and returns your paperwork along with how quickly the police, FBI, and CPS clearances come back. Presently, those clearances are taking 6-8 weeks.
Will I receive financial assistance to care for the child?
Yes. You will receive a monthly stipend for each foster child that is placed in your home.
Where do the Foster Children come from?
Who pays for the child's medical care?
Can I adopt the Foster Child?
How can I find out more information on becoming a Foster Parent?
Where do the foster children come from?
The foster children are placed through the Local Department of Social Services (DSS). Parker Therapeutic Services is licensed by the state to provide services state-wide.
Who pays for the child's medical care?
Can I adopt the Foster Child?
How can I find out more information on becoming a Foster Parent?
Who pays for the foster child's medical care
The State. Each child is covered by the state insurance program (Medical Assistance) to meet all of their medical and dental care needs.
Can I adopt the foster child?
Possibly. The goal of foster care is to reunify foster children with their biological families. If this is not possible, the county will begin looking for an adoptive home.
If there are no biological family members interested in adopting the child, the county usually begins their search by asking the current foster family if they are interested in adopting the child.
How can I find out more information on becoming a foster parent?
Contact Parker Therapeutic Services, Inc at (410) 800-4480 and/or click the Become a Foster Parent button below.